10 minute project: giving your iPhone bezel a brushed look
[Disclaimer: this isn't really a physical mod, but you never know how Apple employees might see it if you ever need to use your iPhone warranty, and they might not take kindly to this subtle cosmetic modification. You've been warned.]
I found this tip so ridiculously exciting that I actually taped my iPhone up this afternoon and tried it out myself. I received the instructions via TheJdevinci439‘s and LuisMayhem17‘s videos, although I’d suggest the latter because the video is a little clearer.
The gist of the tip is this: if you’d like to hide or eliminate scratches on your iPhone’s bezel, or you just want to sport a different look, then find ye a two-sided sponge and tape up your iPhone all kidnapped-like, leaving only the bezel exposed. Take the rough side of the sponge and start buffing the chrome in long, straight swipes. The whole process takes about 10 minutes, but your iPhone will come out looking just just a little sharper than it used to. It’s a subtle change, but the buffed bezel is not as prone to fingerprints and just looks a lot more hi-tech overall. I like it!
Hit the jump for three more pics.
keep in mind, the third pic is the original chrome and the fourth is the "brushed" look. I didn't do a fantastic job and will probably give it a second try, but this is good enough for me for now.
after having my iphone for over 2 years now, it pretty much looks like brushed aluminum anyways
Awesome Cool! I did’nt know that this is possible. Now I know how to eliminate scratches on my iPhone. My phone is kinda scratchy because of carelessness. But other than that I also want to give my phone a new look.
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Seems like it would work better with steel wool or Scotchbrite
might use those for round 2, but Double-Sided Sponge had been training for months for this event and I didn't want to disappoint him.
Yikes! Why not just use chrome and aluminum polish instead?
I'm guessing that would just restore the chrome finish, though, and I'm not as fascinated with chrome as Apple is. I don't think this tip is for everyone, but I definitely found it interesting enough to try.
How coarse is the grain on the sponge you were using? Was wondering if a piece of fine grain sandpaper would do the same?
I just used a simple kitchen sponge for it…really not that coarse, although by the end of it there was an indentation on the sponge where the green stuff came off
If you're gonna do this, I suggest really taking your time with the strokes so they're nice and straight.
sandpaper would likely do the same, but it might be too rough. I was really just following instructions and then posting my results and pics here.
I used a Scotch-Brite heavy duty scrub sponge. It’s made by 3M and can be bought in singles. This is a very easy cosmetic thing to do. The most time consuming part is masking the iPhone with tape. For that I’d suggest blue painters tape. It left both the glass and plastic residue free.
Oh, ok. A kitchen sponge. When u said 2 sided sponge i was just thinking you meant something more coarse. That sounds good. Think i'll do this when i get home. I've never really like the chrome ring. It definitely is the cheapest looking part of the phone. The brushed gives it a look of higher quality. Thanks for the tidbit. By the way, you guys on for the talkcast this week?
Awesome idea! Thanks
will it work for ipod touch gen 2?
I wouldn't recommend it because i haven't tried it, but if you go to luismayhem's youtube video you'll see that some people have already tried that and it seemed to have worked out alright for them. No guarantees, though, and no pics so far.
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Why not use a Dremel powertool?
Don’t have one. Sponge so much cheaper. Plus I did the dishes afterwards. Two birds, one sponge.